Reproducibility of Dental Bite Mark Overlay Analysis Using Digital 3D Models in Adult Participants
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorNantes University Hospital
About this trial
This study aims to evaluate the reproducibility and repeatability of a standardized digital overlay protocol used in forensic odontology for bite mark analysis. Bite mark analysis methods have been increasingly questioned due to concerns about their scientific reliability. This study focuses on the methodological evaluation of an overlay generation protocol independently of biological trace interpretation.
Thirty adult participants requiring routine dental care involving intraoral scanning will be included. A digital impression of the maxillary dentition will be obtained using a standard intraoral scanner, which is a non-invasive and routine clinical procedure.
Digital dental models will be anonymized and processed using dedicated software to generate overlays. Four operators with different levels of expertise will independently perform the overlay procedure at two separate time points.
The study will assess intra-operator repeatability and inter-operator reproducibility using quantitative 2D and 3D metrics. The objective is to determine the variability of the protocol and to contribute to the standardization and reliability of overlay-based analyses in forensic dentistry.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Age ≥18 years
Patients requiring dental care including intraoral optical scan
Able to understand the study and provide informed consent
Sufficient dentition allowing usable maxillary scan
Disqualifiers
Age <18 years
Individuals under legal protection (guardianship or curatorship)
Oral conditions preventing intraoral scanning
Refusal to participate
Trial population
Adult participants recruited among patients attending a dental clinic for routine care requiring intraoral optical scanning.
Trial design
Design model
Case-only
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
3D Digital Model Overlay Analysis
Other interventionStandardized overlay protocol applied to digital dental models (STL/PLY files). Each model is analysed twice by each of four operators at two separate time points (T1 and T2) to assess intra- and inter-operator reproducibility.
Treatment groups
30 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Participants undergoing digital dental model analysis1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Intra-operator Reproducibility of Overlay Concordance Measurements
Agreement between repeated overlay analyses performed by the same operator on the same digital maxillary model across two measurement sessions
Time frame
Baseline and Day 7 (±2 days)Secondary outcomes
1
Inter-operator Reproducibility of Overlay Concordance Measurements
Agreement between overlay analyses performed by different operators on the same digital maxillary model, assessed using quantitative concordance indicators generated from the standardized overlay protocol.
Time frame
Baseline and Day 7 (±2 days)2
Distance Between Point Clouds in 3D Overlay Analysis
Three-dimensional distance between point clouds generated during overlay comparison of digital maxillary models, assessed using dedicated 3D analysis software. Higher values indicate greater discrepancy between overlays.
Time frame
Baseline and Day 7 (±2 days)3
Surface Overlap in Digital Overlay Analysis
Surface overlap measured during comparison of digital maxillary overlays using standardized image processing and 3D analysis methods. Higher values indicate greater overlap between overlays.
Time frame
Baseline and Day 7 (±2 days)4
Influence of Operator Expertise on Overlay Reproducibility
Comparison of overlay reproducibility metrics according to operator expertise level across repeated analyses of the same digital maxillary models.
Time frame
Baseline and Day 7 (±2 days)Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov